Mike Brizzi remains at his alma mater in his first season as director of operations for the University of Cincinnati men's soccer program.

Brizzi was a defender for head coach Hylton Dayes and the Bearcats from 2010-12, appearing in 35 matches and making 22 starts. He scored a goal and registered a pair of assists during his career while helping lead a defensive unit that produced a school record six consecutive clean sheets in 2012. Brizzi spent his freshman season at Cincinnati State, starting all 19 matches and serving as team captain.

Last fall, he was an assistant coach at Cincinnati State, helping the Surge go 15-1-2 while earning a spot in the national junior college tournament. Brizzi also has experience as an instructor and trainer with the Cincinnati United club team and at elite men's soccer camps at both UC and Cincinnati State.

The Loveland, Ohio, native graduated from the University of Cincinnati in April 2014, earning a double major in Philosophy and English Rhetoric/Professional Writing. While at UC, Brizzi was a four-time Dean's List selection, while also earning the Bearcats Strong designation.

2012: Played and started 17 games at defender...assist against Towson (9/14) which resulted in 1-0 victory.

2011:Made 16 appearances, including five starts at wide midfield ... scored one goal with one assist for three points ... started four BIG EAST contests ... tallied first career goal at Rutgers (10/9) ... assisted on Cole DeNormandie goal in 2-1 win against Villanova (10/15).

2010: Appeared in two games at defender ... helped rank UC ninth in the nation in goals-against-average and hold opponents to just 14 goals in 19 matches for a 0.68 GAA. Also was a part of a shutout streak of three matches that was a total of 383 consecutive minutes.

Junior College: Started one season for Cincinnati State where he was also named team captain ... earned numerous OCCAC Player of the Week honors through the 2009 season ... named first-team all-conference and second-team all-region.